Improvement in front-lace corsets



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Z. TAYLOR. Front-Lace Corset.

No. 218,839. Patented Aug. 26,1879.

INVENTOR a Zin- ATTORNEY 4 WITNESSES PETERS, PHOTO-LITHDGFIAPNER. WASHINGTON. D cv 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Z. TAYLOR. Front-Lace Corset.

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M i M {M N-PETERS, PRDTO-IJTHOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON. u C.

UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

ZACHARY TAYLOR, OF CLYDE, OHIO,

ASSIGNOR TO JULIA R. TAYLOR, OF

SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRONT-LACE CORSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 218,839, dated August 26, 1879; application filed May 9, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ZACHARY TAYLOR, of Clyde, in the county of Sandusky and State of Ohio, have invented a new and 'valuable Improvement in Front-Lace Corsets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a front view of the corset. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing fully the corsetsteel in pocket and the strip with the lacinghooks applied to the corset. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken though the line as a; of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front view of the corset on wearer, showing the method of lacing.

This invention is designed as an improvement on that class, of corsets known as frontlace, recently introduced to the trade in this country; and the object of the improvement is to attach the grooved studs orhooks to receive the lacing-cord to the corset over the pockets in which the busks are secured, Whereby the busks are independent of the studs or hooks, so that they can move up and down,

and adjust themselves by bending or springing to the movements of the body or to the position of the wearer.

Corsets have been made of two parts or halves, so as to closely clasp together in front by means of metal fasteners, consisting of steel plates provided with the well-known elongated openings and button-hooks, thus holding the corset in one position, and forbidding the expansion of the corset in any manner in the front. The only relief to be had in this system of close lacing is to loosen the common lacing-string at the back of the corset, which means seldom affords the relief wished for and necessary to the wearer.

Furthermore, this mode of fastening corsets to the body by lacing the corset together in the back frequently calls for assistance.

Also, corsets have been made for front lacing by attaching directly to the outer faces of the corset-busks small flan ged-head pins or hooks, for the purpose of fastening to them the crossin g lace-strin g which brings the busks together. In this case there is danger of the busks breaking and losing their shape and destroying the corset.

My improvement is made to overcome some of the existing evils and remove some of the objections to the front-lace corset. Therefore, it consists in attaching or fastening the grooved studs or hooks to receive the lacingcord, of any desired shape or kind, to each front edge of the corset material over the pockets containing the front busks, so that the busks shall be free of the grooved studs or hooks; also,-in the combination of the busks free from fastening devices, a series of grooved hooks or studs connected to strips of flexible material arranged directly over the busks, and a lacing-cord attached to the uppermost hook; and, also, in the improved and novel construction of the front-lace corset, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In my corset the front busks are independseries of button-hooks or grooved studs, substantially of the shape as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be obseri'ed by reference to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings that the piece or strip of leather, or other suitable material, C is sufficiently strong to hold the studs or hooks firmly in place, and is about the length of the corset, and covered with the same material as that of the corset. This covered strip is perforated by punching at suitable intervals to receive the button hooks or studs C, the shank portion of which passes through the perforations, and is clinched or riveted on the other side by means of machinery adapted for the purpose.

In making the corset the front edge of each part is constructed with the pocket to receive the corset-busks I), (see Fig. 2,) after which they are secured therein. The corset-busks placed in these pockets are perfectly plain that is to say, they have no projections, such as clasps, or button-hooks. or lugs passing through them into or through the fabric of the corset.

In my improvement the button studs or hooks are attached to strips above referred to, which are afterward secured to the front portion of the corset immediately over the pocket containing the steel springs or busks. The button-hooks of the respective strips, with the exception of the upper and lower ones, are arranged so that each one falls centrally, or nearly so, between two of those on the opposite strip.

The lacing-cord E, one end of which is secured to the uppermost hook, substantially indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, is passed to the opposite hook, thence over the same, and thence alternately over the hooks of the opposite sides of the central front opening, which admits the wearer, in such a manner that the cord is adjusted on or off the buttonhooks in a moments time, being passed rapid] y from side to side by the hand, and the single action of drawing the cord downward, when adjusted, will close the opening and lace the front of the corset.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the button hooks or studs are free from the corsct busks; that the busks have neither perforations to weaken them in material, nor projections of any kind to interfere with their ready admission to, or withdrawal from, the pockets; and that by this structure, and their adjustment free from the buttonhooks, they are permitted to move up and down, and to adjust themselves by their flexibility to the movements and positions of the body of the wearer.

Under certain circumstances, owing to this overlap system at the front of the corset, ready relief can be given to the wearer, and the corset may be expanded or contracted at various points along the lacing-line, to suit the comfort of the occupant.

In lieu of the cord, which may be elastic or non-elastic, a tape or a chain may be used for bringing together the front edges of the corsets; also, if it be desirable, the corset may be constructed of one piece, with opening in front.

The hooks or studs, of any construction or style, may be fastened to the front edge of the corset, over the pocket, or at either side of said pocket, using for the fastening of same strips of leather or any other suitable material, or fastened to the corset material direct.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a front-lace corset, the grooved hooks or studs to receive the lacing-cord attached to strips of suitable material sufficiently strong and elastic to hold the said hooks or studs in their places, and secured to the front edges of the corset immediately over the pockets in which the corset-busks are arranged.

2. In a front-lace corset, the combination of the busks unincumbered by fastening devices, a series of grooved books or studs attached to strips of suitable flexible material attached to the front edges of the corset directly over the busks, and a lacing-cord secured to the uppermost hook or stud, whereby the edges of the corset are brought together by overlacing, as set forth.

3. A strip of leather, or other strong and flexible material, covered with a fabric and provided with a series of grooved hooks or studs adapted for use in a corset, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

4. A front-lace corset consisting of the parts B B, busks I) I), and flexible strips E E, with a series of grooved books or studs, 0, and alacing-cord, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ZACHARY TAYLOR.

Witnesses M. B. LEMMON, J AS. OARLETON. 

